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What are supplementary arrow signs in railways?
Posted in: Model Railway
4th May 2021
'Supplementary arrow signs' are the arrows that can be seen just beneath some signals or signage such as speed limits...
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During which era was 'BRITISH RAILWAYS' displayed on railway tenders?
Posted in: Model Railway
29th June 2021
After the transport act of 1947, the railways were nationalised and control given to the British Transport Commission...
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What is meant by the term double heading and when was it used ?
Posted in: Rolling stock
6th October 2023
Double heading is a term used in railway operations and refers to the practice of using two locomotives to haul a...
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How much ballast do I need for my model railway?
Posted in: Tracks
12th January 2022
Trying to figure out how much ballast you need to cover your layout is an interesting battle and one you will...
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What is a railway shunter?
Posted in: Model Railway
8th October 2020
A shunter (when used to describe an engine) is a dedicated railway locomotive used for marshalling trucks or coaches...
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How can you tell the complexity of a kit?

The complexity of a model kit can often be subjective depending on a modeller's experience and dexterity, so how can you tell if a particular kit is for you?

That is a very big question considering the sheer number and types of kit on the market. Some manufacturers such as Airfix and Revell offer a rating system on the box to suggest a modelling ability their kit is aimed at, but what about the rest?

If you are in a shop, you can always ask for a peek inside the box. If you're doing this, take note of the number of parts in the kit. If you don't like big or complex projects, the chances are you will not enjoy a 200-piece kit.

Once you have found a suitably sized project, pay particular attention to the size of the components in the kit. Although none of us like to admit it, the clock only ticks one way, so make sure that you are happy and capable of putting together the smaller parts. It's important to be honest with yourself at this point because the shopkeeper is probably not going to make any assumptions, and rightly so.

If you are shopping online, the task of identifying the complexity of a kit becomes more, well, complex! Most listings will give little away, concentrating more on the details and what's included, and an internet search for the product will likely only succeed in bringing up lots more listings, so you end up going round and round in circles.

If that frustration sounds familiar, try looking on YouTube for your answer. There are thousands of model reviews and unboxing videos out there as well as a generous library of tutorials. These are great for assessing a kit because even if the audio doesn't directly address your questions, the footage will certainly help you.

Finally, if you prefer your communication in a more traditional way, you can always chat to your local modelling club or phone your local model shop, both of which are always happy to help!

Posted in: Kit building

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